The strange, racist attack on Herman Cain

posted at 2:50 pm on February 15, 2011 by Ed Morrissey

While young conservatives chased out a white-supremacist recruiter from CPAC, it seemed that one site on the Left felt more comfortable with racist attacks. AlterNet, a site that proudly proclaims its “strong content” and “huge readership and reach,” offered its analysis of Herman Cain’s speech at CPAC by calling the former CEO of Godfather Pizza a “monkey in the window”:

In the immortal words of Megatron in Transformers: The Movie, Herman Cain’s speech at CPAC really is bad comedy. As you know, I find black garbage pail kidsblack conservatives fascinating not because of what they believe, but rather because of how they entertain and perform for their White Conservative masters.

When race minstrelsy was America’s most popular form of mass entertainment, black actors would often have to pretend to be white men, who then in turn would put on the cork to play the role of the “black” coon, Sambo, or Jumping Jim Crow. Adding insult to injury, in a truly perverse and twisted example of the power of American white supremacy black vaudevillians would often pretend to be white in order to denigrate black people for the pleasures of the white gaze. …

In total, CPAC is a carnival and a roadshow for reactionary Conservatives. It is only fitting that in the great tradition of the freak show, the human zoo, the boardwalk, and the great midway world’s fairs of the 19th and 20th centuries, that there is a Borneo man, a Venus Hottentot or a tribe of cannibals from deepest darkest Africa or Papua New Guinea on display. For CPAC and the White Conservative imagination, Herman Cain and his black and brown kin are that featured attraction.

We always need a monkey in the window, for he/she reminds us of our humanity while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of our own superiority. Sadly, there are always folks who are willing to play that role because it pays so well.

Yes, well, I’m pretty sure that Cain is comfortable enough from his private-sector success to not need the supposed financial windfall of a CPAC appearance. His radio show may pay a decent salary — knowing what I do about regional radio, that’s a rather risky presumption — but it’s not exactly the kind of money that entices CEOs with proven rescue power out of the business world. Cain has been pretty clear about his passion for conservative politics, and his speech at CPAC — as well as at other venues — was powerful and moving.

Having had to follow him on stage at one event, I can personally attest to the sinking feeling that produces in speakers that have the unfortunate chance of that scheduling. Having spoken with Cain on a number of occasions, I can also attest to the fact that this man has no masters, white or otherwise. Herman sails by his own compass at all times, which is one of his most admirable qualities.

But just as with any political figure, Cain may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if one disagrees with his conservative stances. AlterNet doesn’t just attack his positions or his ideology, both of which are fair game, but attack him for the color of his skin and declares him inauthentic. In doing so, they make the same assumptions that Jamie Kelso makes and tried to propagate at CPAC, which is that a black man can’t decide for himself what kind of politics he likes, honestly and authentically.

John Hinderaker at Power Line saw this before I did, and notes that my friend Dana Loesch pushed back against AlterNet’s descent into race-baiting:

No, the author doesn’t at all take into consideration Cain’s individuality; in their sloppy logic they shows their cards: all black people must be Democrats thus, if Cain isn’t a Democrat, then he’s a captive conservative. The author insults Cain’s free will and shows once again exactly what progressives think of black Americans: pawns that must be told what to believe. Humans who lack the cognitive ability to make valid choices. Black Americans couldn’t –Cain couldn’t – possibly come to the realization of their conservatism alone! They must have been brainwashed! Because progressives don’t believe that black conservatives possess the ability to make such rational arguments, they, the progressives, must “save” them. And again, progressives insult black conservatives by insisting that they are victims of stupidity.

This is progressive compassion? The complete lack of regard for the beliefs and freedoms of black Americans? Alternet succeeded in showcasing a possible reason for Cain’s conservative beliefs with such an inane display of racist-fueled illogic. With such friends to black America as these, who needs enemies? Is this “New Tone?”

Cain released two statements over the last couple of days on his Facebook page:

Please join me in condemning AlterNet for their shameful behavior towards me and all black conservatives. Special thanks to my friends Niger Innis, Dana Loesch and Andrew Breitbart for standing with me. …

I am humbled by the outpouring support from friends and supporters across the country willing to stand with me to defend civil rights of ALL AMERICANS who love this country and believe in the power of the American Dream. May we never forget the dignity of the individual (which INCLUDES the freedom of thought) as the core of this great nation’s founding and as the calling of this great nation’s future.

AlterNet owes Cain an apology, and perhaps those publications who give “Chauncey deVega” a platform should reconsider their relationships with the writer.

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

You can see just how “liberal” some people are . If the person is a liberal minority they will go to any lengths to help or assist but if the minority has a differing view what you see is well just look at Sesquip’s posts.

Funny. You respond to my first set of questions with….nothing that addresses my questions. Does this “respectable negro” have any regard for Herman Cain’s beliefs? It would seem not. Therefore it’s not a “fail”, he’s trying to accuse Cain of “acting white”. It’s too bad he (and you) can’t see far enough beyond race to acknowledge an individual who may disagree with what you feel they should think.

Fail for you.

And then you ignore the rest of my questions. I guess you have nothing else to say.

Weird I have never said that and I do not remember anyone else
saying that. Doesn ’t mean it did not happen but most likely it means
that it is a very rare event.
CWforFreedom on February 15, 2011 at 8:13 PM

Funny. You respond to my first set of questions with….nothing that addresses my questions. Does Chauncey have any regard for Herman Cain’s beliefs? It would seem not. Therefore it’s not a “fail”, he’s trying to accuse Cain of “acting white”. It’s too bad he (and you) can’t see far enough beyond race to acknowledge an individual who may disagree with what you feel they should think.

Fail for you.

And then you ignore the rest of my questions. I guess you have nothing else to say.

…and the fact he is black, who is going after another black man due to political affiliation… is what….?

if it’s due to political affiliation, it’s by definition not racism. attacking people for their political beliefs is, alas, what you do in politics.

come on, don’t be the intellectually stupid and defend a man who went after another man with the same skin color.

upinak on February 15, 2011 at 8:12 PM

we do that all the time, though, aren’t we? and no, didn’t and am not about to defend the blogger. it’s an intemperate, misguided post, and while certainly not, as a whole, racist, the use of monkey imagery is really poor form.

If I may quote the fictional character Atticus Finch from the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” on the fallacy of attitudes towards individuals based on the color of their skin:

“The witnesses for the state have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption-the evil assumption-that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber. Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men cannot be trusted around women, black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.”

apart from the generalization about conservatives as being unfavorably disposed toward blacks, the O N L Y objectionable aspect of the post is the monkey imagery, which is indeed reprehensible. happy now?

sesquipedalian on February 15, 2011 at 7:18 PM

(emphasis mine)

again, i did not defend any part of said post.

sesquipedalian on February 15, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Ok not just any part but all of it except for the monkey imagery. Your words not mine. Fish in a barrel.

CWforFreedom on February 15, 2011 at 8:20 PM

see what i did there, you lying little sob?

the entire alternet post is based on a wrong assumption. but if the assumption was correct – which, for the obtuse of you, it is not – the blogger’s complaints against cain would be justified and cain would be a depraved idiot. as such, though, the post is wrong, especially the mentioning the goddamn ape in the window.

Ok add your little about conservatives there is plenty more to criticize about the post. SO based on your OWN words you dimwit you must agree with the rest. You cannot change it now.

the entire alternet post is based on a wrong assumption.
sesquipedalian on February 15, 2011 at 8:43 PM

That was not your point in your post:

apart from the generalization about conservatives as being unfavorably disposed toward blacks, the only objectionable aspect of the post is the monkey imagery, which is indeed reprehensible. happy now?

The vast majority of liberals live in a mono-chromatic neighborhood. Liberals are only comfortable living around those who share their skin color and hatred of others not like them. If someone hates America then the liberal s their friend because they love to share hate.

When race minstrelsy was America’s most popular form of mass entertainment, black actors would often have to pretend to be white men, who then in turn would put on the cork to play the role of the “black” coon, Sambo, or Jumping Jim Crow. Adding insult to injury, in a truly perverse and twisted example of the power of American white supremacy black vaudevillians would often pretend to be white in order to denigrate black people for the pleasures of the white gaze

It seems Sesqui agrees that it is in fact acceptable to compare Cain to a minstrel act. Again sesqu YOUR WORDS. Spin and twist. Hell evolve. Fish in a barrel . You’re pathetic.

The vast majority of liberals live in a mono-chromatic neighborhood. Liberals are only comfortable living around those who share their skin color and hatred of others not like them. If someone hates America then the liberal s their friend because they love to share hate.

GardenGnome on February 15, 2011 at 8:52 PM

You haven’t met my liberal neighbor, who once told me that she had looked “long and hard” for a suitable black person to which to rent her above-the-garage apartment. I asked whether anyone suitable showed up before the woman who finally rented and she said no — they were all white.

She’s also one of those people who has a zillion bumper stickers talking about peace on her car, and yet went down to the corner every Friday to demonstrate against the war with derogatory posters of Bush. She stopped protesting when Obama was elected, even though the wars she detests are still going on.

we do that all the time, though, aren’t we? and no, didn’t and am not about to defend the blogger. it’s an intemperate, misguided post, and while certainly not, as a whole, racist, the use of monkey imagery is really poor form.

sesquipedalian on February 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM

Yeah ’cause them darkies love it when people recall the good old days of Uncle Tom and minstrels. That is totally fine. Why it’s a perfectly reasonable way to disagree with their positions on the issues.

The fact is that even racism of this clarity as issued by AlterNet is unable to penetrate the thick veneer of righteous condemnation of all things conservative that coats the brains of people like crr6, sesq, and our other resident progressive shills.

They are so caught up in a belief in their own superiority that even blatant offenses like this one fail to shock them. In the fantasy world in which the progressive mind MUST dwell a black conservative is an impossibility. They have such disregard for the ability of anyone who happens to be black that if they see the person espouse conservative ideals they jump to the conclusion that the man must have been duped.

Or as in this case they assume that his inherent greed must have clouded the black man’s mind thereby preventing him from identifying his progressive benefactors. It would be laughable if it wasn’t so predictable.

Reflect upon the following… which party – Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, other:

(1) consistently fight against school choice in inner cities?
(2) provides a sorry excuse for public schools in inner cities?
(3) advocates abortion in large volume in inner cities?
(4) provides disincentives for responsible parenting in inner cities?
(5) control politics & policies of major US cities which keep the urban poor utterly dependent upon government hand-outs?

Now consider the following questions:

(1) What demographic comprises the majority of urban poor?
(2) What is the high school graduation rate in inner cities such as Detroit?
(3) What % of urban youth actually successfully start their own business, that isn’t gang related?

To borrow from a line from the Usual Suspects:
The greatest trick far left liberals ever pulled was convincing African-Americans is that liberals cannot be racist.

Well, in all fairness, the left is convinced that everyone on the right is there because they’ve been brainwashed, so it’s not entirely out of reason for them to consider black conservatives to be brainwashed too.

And truth be told, it’s not much less condescending when you’re not a minority.

“…perhaps those publications who give “Chauncey deVega” a platform should reconsider their relationships with the writer.”

God help us survive all these too intelligent to get angry pansies who call themselves conservatives. Ed needs to be asked the Dukakis question, “Ed if Chauncey raped your wife what would you do?”

When conservatives make the slightest error they’re thrashed mercilessly. When our friends are pissed on by scum like that crack smoking trash with the 40 our side’s spokesman proposes that, having stepped outside the bounds of proper behavior for a professional journalist, Mr. DeVega possibly should be considered subject to some reprimand or termination of his services. Of course Ed tiptoes by the obvious fact that Chauncey’s bosses pay him to do hit pieces. They’re more likely to buy him a case of Colt 45 and a new pipe.

Most of the men and women who pretend to be our “pundits” don’t care enough to put on the gloves. It’s just a game. They’re making their dough win or lose.

Three cheers for Mr. Cain, and for the upstanding and (yes) righteous people who threw those racist vermin out of CPAC.

And eternal shame upon those who use the foul language of racism to attack Mr. Cain for his conscience and courage. They are shameless; they know no shame. But the rest of us do, and let us point at them in public and call them out for what they are: racists, and worse than racists. They want blacks and hispanics to bind themselves to the feet of the “benevolent” Leftist masters.

Lets see, how many progressive code words can we find in AlterNet’s mission statement?

AlterNet’s Mission

AlterNet is an award-winning news magazine and online community that creates original journalism and amplifies the best of hundreds of other independent media sources. AlterNet’s aim is to inspire action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, health care issues, and more. Since its inception in 1998, AlterNet.org has grown dramatically to keep pace with the public demand for independent news. We provide free online content to millions of readers, serving as a reliable filter, keeping our vast audience well-informed and engaged, helping them to navigate a culture of information overload and providing an alternative to the commercial media onslaught. Our aim is to stimulate, inform, and instigate.

It seems Sesqui agrees that it is in fact acceptable to compare Cain to a minstrel act. Again sesqu YOUR WORDS. Spin and twist. Hell evolve. Fish in a barrel . You’re pathetic.
CWforFreedom on February 15, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Don’t forget the part about Cain being a curiosity like a member of a cannibalistic tribe or a sideshow act. “But, but, except for the unfortunate monkey reference, that’s not racist!”, squawks Sesquipedestrian. It defines both whites (the “denigrating” oglers) and blacks (the main “attraction”) by race. It’s difficult to imagine a more racist mindset. In the dark recesses of their twisted minds, the idea that we are human beings who embrace people based on their individual qualities is beyond their imagining.

AlterNet publishes grassroots success stories and inspirational narratives alongside hard-hitting critiques of policies, investigative reports and expert analysis. We emphasize workable solutions to persistent social problems. Our editorial mix underscores a commitment to fairness, equality and global stewardship, and to making connections across generational, ethnic and issue lines. In order to provide deeper coverage on today’s key issues, AlterNet features 12 Special Coverage Areas, each with its own hub site, editor, and weekly newsletter.

Huge Readership and Reach

AlterNet receives more than 1.5 million unique monthly visitors and more than 7.5 million monthly page views. AlterNet’s readers comprise a strong base, who help virally spread AlterNet content to their networks by forwarding stories and emailing links. Many of AlterNet’s readers come from search engines (like Google) and news aggregator sites (such as Digg or Reddit), a testament to the fact that AlterNet reaches beyond the typical “choir” of progressive readers.(DING DING! We have a winner!!)

Building a Strong Community and Influence on the Web

AlterNet is successful at building community, as well as influence. Over 30,000 commenters are registered on the site, and many of our stories receive hundreds of comments from these dedicated readers. According to Technorati.com (the recognized authority on the topic), more than 97,000 blog posts link to AlterNet content, driving traffic back to our site, and virally marketing our content across the web.

Connecting Readers to Opportunities for Action

AlterNet provides its readers with pathways to action. We help connect our readers to opportunities to make change, be it through specific action campaigns, signing petitions, or by learning about the grassroots efforts of groups engaged in the work.

Financial Stability & Sustainability

Financial stability is important to AlterNet. More than 40 percent of our annual operating budget is self-generated through our advertising program and online donor program, both of which are leveraged by our large traffic. We are dedicated to business growth, and our budget has grown consistently over the past decade, as we have increased our earned income level.

STRATEGIC JOURNALISM

AlterNet has developed a unique model of journalism to confront the failures of corporate media, as well as the vitriol and disinformation of right wing media, especially “hate talk” media. (DING DING! Another Winner!!)

Not only do we keep our readers highly informed on a wide array of topics, from hundreds of experts and sources, but we also provide laser focus on the most compelling issues of the day. We offer our readers comprehensive information, a positive vision for the future, and concrete action steps towards change. AlterNet believes that media must have a higher purpose beyond the essential goal of keeping people informed. We insist on playing an active role in helping our community funnel its energy into change.(In other words, they’re a propaganda machine.)

THE NEED FOR SUPPORT

AlterNet believes that media must have a higher purpose beyond the essential goal of keeping people informed. We insist on playing an active role in helping our community funnel its energy into change.

To achieve this, we will continue to practice tough and visionary strategic journalism. We’ll focus on the most compelling news on each of the issues in a coordinated and constituency-oriented way. And we will do it as a matter of fundamental organization, drilling deep into policy, developing constituencies, and engaging the best thinkers and writers.

AlterNet’s objectives are to raise consciousness and engage readers by publishing and promoting quality content, and to build and expand partnerships with strategic organizations and relevant writers – all with the broader goal of raising awareness, changing policies, and connecting readers to real solutions and ways they can become involved in effecting change.

In the coming year, AlterNet will reach more than 10 million people who are seeking alternative perspectives and information. By investing in AlterNet, you are joining us in providing the information and ideas that will motivate these millions to participate in social change efforts. Join us. Click here to make your investment in AlterNet.

he’s “Editor and founder of the blog We Are Respectable Negroes,” which you could read at the bottom of the post had ed [applause] morrissey not neglected to link to it. thus, hinderaker could hardly argue that he has a “complete lack of regard for the beliefs and freedoms of black Americans.”

Hmmm… you’re missing a couple of hundreds steps along the path of reasoning, there. Just because the guy has a certain skin color, it doesn’t mean he give a rat’s patoot about the freedom of people sharing his skin color.

Frances Fox-Piven, for example, appears to be quite pale, yet argues for the enslavement of equally pale people under the guise of “socialism”.

We really should be honest — in modern discourse, “racist” really means “not a leftist”. As the piece of filth writing for Alternet is a leftist, no leftist will ever declare what he said to be racist.

The reader is free to say to themselves what this says about the left (and a-holes like “sesquipedalian”).

So Chauncey has a problem with strong, patriotic, successful, hard-working proud black men who identify with Conservatism over scowling, fist-pumping, I-Hate-Whitey-Victimism? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this twisted bigot and his ilk are beyond threatened by minorities entering the Republican ranks.

A quick scan on Chauncey and you see he’s all in the Angry Black Man camp. He refers to himself as a negro–an archaic term for African Americans that hasn’t been popularly used since the end of the Civil Rights movement and the “charter” on an old blog talks about 40 acres and a mule…yeesh…someone who makes their living being angry, miserable and suffering from a severe racial Inferiority Complex–no wonder he be hatin’ on his black brotha who’s got more dough and standing than he ever will.